Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA as it is frequently termed, is a long recognized, hereditary, blinding disorder.
All forms of PRA have the same sequence of ophthalmoscopic changes:
- increased reflectivity (shininess) of the fundus (the inside of the back of the eye, overlain by the retina);
- reduction in the diameter and branching pattern of the retina's blood vessels;
- shrinking of the optic nerve head (the nerve connecting the retina to the brain).
These changes occurr in all forms of PRA, but at different times in the different breed-specific forms. Usually by the time the affected dog has these changes there is already significant evidence of loss of vision.
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Confirmation of the diagnosis can be undertaken by electroretinography. This is an electrical measurement of retinal function somewhat similar to an electrocardiographic test of heart function, but with two differences: the electroretinogram (ERG) can only be recorded as a response to a flash of light (ie: it is not a free running signal like the EKG); and accurate recording of the ERG requires that the dog be anesthetized. In all dogs showing clinical evidence of PRA, the ERG is severely diminished or extinguished.
The ERG can also be used for early diagnosis of specific forms of PRA, that is to detect PRA-affected dogs before they demonstrate clinical evidence of disease. This requires very carefully controlled ERG recording conditions, and a well defined understanding of the age of onset and rate of change of ERG dysfunction in the specific form of PRA under consideration.
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Basenji
Beagle
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Border Collie
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Boxer
Briard
Brittany
Brussels Griffon
Bullmastiff
Cairn Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
Dalmation
Doberman Pinscher
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Flat-Coated Retriever
Fox Terrier Wire
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greyhound
Havanese
Irish Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Keeshond
Kerry Blue Terrier
Kuvasz
Labrador Retriever
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Norwegian Elkhound
Old English Sheepdog
Papillon
Pekingese
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pointer
Pomeranian
Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Pug
Puli
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saluki
Samoyed
Schipperke
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Shar-Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shih Tzu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Whippet
Yorkshire Terrier
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